As the election day on Oct. 5 approaches rapidly and advance voting looms closer, political leaders are ramping up their efforts to sway new voters and solidify their support bases in the final stretch of the campaign.
A recent survey by Léger–Le Journal–TVA, released on Tuesday, highlighted the Parti Québécois (PQ) making headway among francophone voters, maintaining its lead in voter preference.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives (PCQ) saw a surge in popularity, with 17 percent of voters naming them as their second choice, marking a three-point increase in just one week. In the Quebec City region, Éric Duhaime’s party garnered the support of 34 percent of voters.
During an exclusive interview with CityNews, Duhaime expressed optimism about leveraging this momentum in the final fortnight, particularly targeting young voters and anglophones. He positioned his party as an appealing choice for conservative-leaning individuals who oppose Quebec’s separation from Canada.
In a press conference held in Montreal, Duhaime unveiled his party’s autonomy platform, emphasizing commitments aimed at safeguarding Quebec’s jurisdiction within the Canadian framework.
Duhaime stressed the importance of concrete actions rather than mere aspirations, stating, “Autonomy can no longer be a mere wishlist. To yield tangible outcomes, we need a comprehensive strategy, institutional support, alliances, and unwavering resolve.”
The platform outlined initiatives such as a Quebec constitution, a “shield law” to uphold Quebec’s legislative supremacy, and the designation of French as Quebec’s sole official language. Additionally, the party proposed forging partnerships with other provinces to expedite the transfer of powers from Ottawa to individual provinces in areas like immigration, energy, and the environment.
Duhaime highlighted that his party’s policies were striking a chord with young voters grappling with the challenges of high living costs and housing affordability.
In a bid to appeal to younger demographics, Québec solidaire (QS) announced plans to halve tuition fees at CEGEPs and universities if they secure power, with the ultimate aim of achieving tuition-free education in the future.
According to the recent Léger poll, QS secured the fifth spot with 10 percent support from Quebecers.
Alexandre Boulerice, QS MNA candidate for Gouin, emphasized the need for young people to reclaim hope for the future and the belief in a secure and prosperous life.
QS estimated that the proposed tuition reductions could incur an annual cost of up to $350 million for the government by 2030-31.
Meanwhile, Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) Leader Charles Milliard unveiled a campaign focused on transportation infrastructure, as the latest polling data showed minimal change in the party’s second-place standing with 23 percent of voter support.
During a press conference in Montreal, Milliard pledged to expand Highway 30 between Brossard and Boucherville, a project previously promised by the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) back in 2018.
The PLQ criticized the CAQ government for the lack of progress on the project, despite pledges made in the last two elections. With traffic on the highway swelling to an estimated 50,000 to 85,000 vehicles daily, the existing infrastructure has become inadequate to accommodate the region’s growth.
The PLQ’s proposal entails adding one lane in each direction on the Brossard to Boucherville stretch of Highway 30, along with dynamic traffic management featuring lanes reserved for public transit and carpooling.
